Obituary: Marvin J. Red’ Smoker

Sunday

Sep 23, 2012 at 9:42 PMSep 23, 2012 at 9:42 PM

BRONSON — Marvin J. "Red" Smoker, 82, of Bronson, went to be with his Lord on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012 at his home with his family by his side.Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012 at St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church in Bronson, with Rev. Fr. Richard Fritz officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bronson. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012 at the Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater with the Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m., also at the funeral home in Coldwater.Marvin was born on June 21, 1930 in Bronson Township, to Carl and Edwina (Herman) Smoker. He grew up in Bronson, attended St. Mary’s School and graduated from Bronson High School in 1949, where he lettered in baseball and basketball. He played baseball for the Bronson Reel Co. semi-pro baseball team during the summer and was invited to the Washington Senators tryout camp at Winter Garden, Fla. in early 1950. After tryout camp, he was offered a contract to play for the Washington Senators Class D farm club in Douglas, Ga., where he spent the 1950 season.In early 1951, Marvin was drafted to the U.S. Army, where he served stateside during the Korean conflict until he was honorably discharged.Mr. Smoker returned home and married Mary E. Kolassa on Sept. 22, 1951 at St. Mary’s in Bronson. She preceded him in death on June 27, 2010, after 59 loving years together. Marvin passed just hours before what would have been their 61st anniversary.Marvin was a member of St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church in Bronson. He had been employed at L.A. Darling, was a meat cutter at Davidson’s (Gay’s) Market for several years, and spent his last 15 years before retirement working at the State Home in Coldwater.Marvin’s family was his pride and joy and he was a devoted father. He is survived by his seven children, Marcia (Tom) Youngquist of West Bloomfield, Timothy (Brandi) Smoker of Jackson, Carlene (Alan) Sosinski of Bronson, Randy (Vickie) Smoker of Bronson, Vince (Janine) Smoker of Milford, Jill (Tom) Duke of Coldwater, and Julie (Chris) Staab of Marshall; his brothers Jerome Smoker of Coldwater Lake and Harry Smoker of Thomasville, Ala.; his sister Phyllis (Ronald) Crampton of Bronson; 23 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.In addition to his wife, Marvin was preceded in death by his parents and a great-grandson Drake Russell Smoker.Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Mary of Assumption Church, St. Mary’s School or CHC home Health and Hospice.— www.dutcherfh.com